LION FISH CLASSIFICATION

Common Names Lionfish Zebrafish Firefish or Red Firefish Turkeyfish Red lionfish Butterfly cod Ornate butterfly-cod Peacock lionfish Scorpion volitans Devil firefish Pterois antennata

Kingdom – Animalia (all the animals) Phylum – Chordata (animals with a spinal cord) Subphylum – Vertebrata (animals with backbones) Class – Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) Order – Scorpaeniformes (scorpion fishes and sculpins) Family – Scorpaenidae (firefishes, goblinfishes, rockfishes, and scorpionfishes) Genus – Pterois (lionfishes, turkeyfishes, and zebrafishes) Species – volitans (meaning volatile or poisonous) Biological Classification

Classification Kingdom: Protist Phylum: Euglenophyta Class: Euglenophyceae Order: Euglenales Family: Euglenidae Genus: Euglena Species: Euglena gracilis

SCIENTIFIC NAME Pterois volitans (red lionfish) and Pterois miles (devil firefish)

 The South Pacific and Indian Oceans  Western Australia and Malaysia  East to French Polynesia and the United Kingdom's Pitcairn Islands  North to southern Japan  Southern Korea  South to Lord Howe Island off the east coast of Australia  Kermadec Islands of New Zealand  Micronesia HABITAT Pterois antennata

Habitat for Euglena  Species of Euglena is found in Fresh and salt waters

Lionfish are slow-moving and conspicuous, so they must rely on their unusual coloration and fins to discourage would-be predators from eating them. Lionfish are now one of the top predators in many coral reef environments of the Atlantic. Lionfish consume over 50 species of fish including some economically and ecologically important species. Lionfish are active hunters who ambush their prey by using their outstretched, fan-like pectoral fins to slowly pursue and "corner" them.

Lionfish are thought to be nocturnal hunters, but they have been found with full stomachs during the day in the Atlantic. They move about by slowly undulating the soft rays of the dorsal and anal fins. During the day, they sometimes retreat to ledges and crevices among the rocks and corals. Although in the Atlantic, lionfish are often seen moving about during the day, both alone and in small groups.

Economic Importance Although lionfish have been used as a food source in their native range, economically, they are far more important in the aquarium trade. Lionfish are very popular and common aquarium fish, especially in the U.S.

INTERESTING FACTS :  The spines of this species deliver a venomous sting that can last for days and cause extreme pain, sweating, respiratory distress, and even paralysis.  Lionfish venom glands are located within two grooves of the spine.  The venom is a combination of protein, a neuromuscular toxin and a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine.  After the spine punctures the skin, the venom enters the wound when exposed to the venom glands within the grooves of the spine.  If you are stung by a lionfish, seek medical attention immediately.

 When it is too hot or cold for a euglena, it forms a protective casing called a cyst around its body that protects it until conditions outside the cyst become better.  The euglena has a bright red eyespot which is sensitive to light and helps the euglena find light  The euglena reproduces by fission, splitting lengthwise in two.  The flagellum goes with one part and the other part grows a new flagellum.  It takes in tiny plants and animals much like the ameba and paramecium. 5 Interesting Facts about Euglena

How do they obtain food? Lionfish  Ambush their prey using their outstretched fins Euglena Makes own food in the light and eats ameba in the darkness

Size of the organism Lionfish  Maximum size is approximately 15 inches Euglena Maximum size is approximately 45 to 65 microns

Lionfish Reproduce sexually Reproduction occurs every four days throughout the year Euglena Reproduce asexually through binary fission A form of cell division

 How do lionfish reproduce?  Sexually  What is there economic importance?  aquarium trade  How do the euglena obtain food?  Makes own food in the light and eats ameba in the darkness  What is one of the habitats of the lionfish?  South Pacific and Indian Oceans  What is the venom in the lionfish a combination of?  combination of protein, a neuromuscular toxin and a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine 5 Questions

“Lionfish Biology Fact Sheet." Lionfish Biology Fact Sheet. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr "Classification." Pterois Volitans -. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr "Euglena." Euglena. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr " :: View Topic - 3 Species of Euglena." :: View Topic - 3 Species of Euglena. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr

" Lionfish+mating - Google Search." Lionfish+mating - Google Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May "Lionfish - Google Search." Lionfish - Google Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.